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Labor and "Left Wing"

Russian & Slavic Literature

TROTSKII MSS.

The Trotskii mss., 1900-1957, consist principally of the
correspondence of Lev Trotskii, 1879-1940, Russian communist
leader, and Max Eastman, 1883-1969, author, during the period
when Eastman was preparing his book about Trotskii in 1922 and
1923 and later when he served unofficially as Trotskii's literary
agent from 1929 to 1933. Some of Trotskii's letters are addressed
to Eliena Vassilyenva Krylenko who became Eastman's wife; some of
Eastman's letters are addressed to Leon Sedoff, the name Trotskii
assumed (that of his son) during the period of his exile in
Turkey.

Other materials include Eastman's notes surviving from his
first talks with Trotskii in 1922 and 1923, notes of a
conversation with Mrs. Natalie Ivanova (Sedova) Trotskii after
the attack on Lev Trotskii in Moscow, two impressions after
living three days in Trotskii's home in 1932, Eastman's
translation of The Revolution Betrayed by Trotskii, an interview
with Trotskii about economic difficulties in the Soviet Union in
1932, and efforts by Eastman to secure permission for Trotskii to
visit the United States in 1933. Works by Trotskii include A
Weakening of Stalin or a Weakening of the Soviet and later in
1937 from Mexico New Moscow Amalgan: Three Trials.

Following the death of Trotskii in 1940 are letters by Eastman
and Alfred Rosmer offering personal judgement of the man. A note
by Eastman in September 1957 relates his explanation of the loss
and recovering of his translation of the Trotskii life of
Lenin.

Printed materials related to Trotskii's death, his wife, his
writings, and reviews of Eastman's translations and book about
Trotskii complete the collection.

Collection size: 201 items

For more information about this collection and any related materials contact the
Public Services Department, Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405.
Call (812) 855-2452 or send an email using our Ask a Question form.